Buy Keep Eat Repeat

Did you know the average UK family throws away £730 worth of food every year? With the rising cost of living, we know how important it is to save every penny. Follow our tips and guides below to help you save money on food…

Image of bag for life with fruits vegetables, bread and spaghetti coming out from top of bag. has wording BUY underneath it.

ONLY BUY WHAT YOU NEED, PLAN MEALS.

Image of three air tight containers with food inside and the wording KEEP underneath it.

STORE FOOD CORRECTLY TO EXTEND SHELF LIFE, USE YOUR FREEZER.

Bowl of food with wording eat underneath it.

USE FRESH FOOD FIRST, BATCH COOK, USE ANY LEFTOVERS.

Image of food waste caddy with fruit and veg skin/unwanted food with the words repeat underneath it.

RECYCLE ANY NON-AVOIDABLE FOOD WASTE IN YOUR FOOD CADDY OR FOOD AND GARDEN BIN.

LET’S REDUCE FOOD WASTE!

Did you know that in Greater Manchester, 140,000 tonnes of food waste is put in general waste bins? Three quarters of this food waste could have been avoided too. We are working with councils across Greater Manchester to encourage residents to reduce and recycle their food waste.

Follow our tips below for ‘Buy, Keep, Eat, Repeat’, to help you plan meals, store your food right, use up leftovers and recycle food in your food caddy or bin!

ZERO WASTE RECIPE CARDS

We’ve put together a selection of recipe cards to help you make delicious and affordable meals without creating a ton of food waste

Veggie Base Sauce

Bread Pudding

Cheap
FAKEaway

Veggie Pasta Bake

Quick Veggie Pie

STORING FOOD IN THE FRIDGE:

Here’s our quick handy guide to safely storing food in your fridge, helping you keep food for longer.

WEBSITES THAT MAKE IT EASY:

HUBUB

Reducing food waste

GREENECO FRIEND

Storing food correctly

LOVE FOOD
HATE WASTE

Check your fridge temperature

FOOD STANDARDS

Food safety standards

APPS THAT MAKE IT EASY:

TOO GOOD TO GO

Some restaurants and supermarkets sell their surplus food at the end of the day for a very discounted fee.

Fancy composting but you don’t have the facility? This app lets you find someone nearby with the facility that is happy to accept your scraps!

OLIO

If you have overbought, you can share with your neighbours what you have that you think you will not use.

BRING!

If you’re the type of person who always forgets something when grocery shopping, this app is a must.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FOOD:

Put paper towels with your salad. By putting a piece of kitchen roll in your salad and sealing the bag/container you can make it last longer. This will work by absorbing the condensation in the bag and keeping your salad leaves fresher for longer

Don’t separate bananas before eating wrap the stems of the bananas in clingfilm when you first buy them, and only snap one off when you’re ready to eat it. This should give you 3-5 extra days of perfectly ripe banana joy.

The best way to prevent potatoes sprouting is to keep an apple in the bag – apples produce ethylene gas, which keeps potatoes fresher and firmer.

Keep apples away from other fruits and veggies, ethylene gas may be good for potatoes, but it’s bad for almost everything else, it will make them ripen quicker, instead keep them in a plastic bag in the fridge

Wash berries in a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 3 cups of water before you put them in the fridge – this kills the mould spores, make sure they are dry before storing them

Wrap celery in foil it lets the gas that spoils it escape, rather than trapping it like plastic, so the celery stays crisp long enough

Image of a variety of hers on a chopping board

Fresh herbs can thrive if you store them in a glass of water on the windowsill. Alternatively if you have too many, chop and freeze them in handy ice cube trays, they will last for months and can be easily thrown in a pan and cooked on low. This method is best used with sturdier herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano.

Keep mushrooms in a paper bag storing them this way keeps them clean and dry

Let avocado ripen at room temperature then put them in the fridge to halt the process and keep them ready to eat. Once you’ve cut them, keep the stone in the remaining half squeeze on a little lemon juice to preserve them even further.

Put your onions in tights, put them in one at a time, knot between each bulb and keep them in a dark, dry place until you need them.

Keep raisins airtight, stores properly they will taste better and last for a long time!

Limp lettuce can be rehydrate and refresh by separating the leaves and tossing them into a sink full of iced water for anywhere from 5-30 mins.

BUY

Plan your meals for the week ahead. By doing this you will only buy what you need to help reduce food going out of date.
Check what is left in the fridge and cupboards before you next go shopping.
Shop smart. Try local shops for the best deals on your food shop.
Look for cheaper deals on wonky vegetables and fruit.

KEEP

Check the temperature of your fridge. If the temperature is too high, food will go off easily. Did you know our fridges should be below 5°C? Visit Love Food Hate Waste. to find out how to change your fridge temperature.
Check you’re storing food correctly – Love Food Hate Waste have a great Food Storage A to Z.
You can put meat, bread, cheese and milk in the freezer before you’re ready to use it – check out Hubbub’s 15 freezer friendly foodsfor other foods you can freeze.

EAT

Use fruit in pies and baking.
Stir-fry’s are good for using up vegetables.
Batch cook to get the most out of your food and save time later, using fresh food first. Check our food blogs for ideas on how to use up leftover ingredients.
Save leftovers to eat another day. Try Love Food Hate Waste for leftover food recipes.

REPEAT

Use your food caddy or green bin at home for any food waste you may have. Did you know all the food and garden waste collected in Greater Manchester is turned into compost? Find out more about what happens to your food and garden waste.
Why not try home composting? This is great for your flowers and vegetables and saves money on buying compost.
Make sure you’re putting the right things in your food caddy – check what you can recycle at home.
If you do have any leftover store cupboard essentials that are in date, see if it can be donated to a local food bank.

https://twitter.com/recycle4gm/status/1457325712256405505

Would you try this? To save your veggies from going to the caddy you could turn them into soup or a stew! #PlanYourScran #BuyKeepEatRepeat pic.twitter.com/0KUpVbpnXE
— Recycle for Greater Manchester (@recycle4gm) February 1, 2022

Get your question answered quickly

Use the drop down menus below to find a quick and easy answer to our frequently asked questions.

Where do you live?

Select enquiry

Select Question toggle

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

Why only plastic bottles?
A bottle and a food tray are made of the same type of plastic but not the same grade of plastic, therefore the grades of plastic will behave differently when they are recycled, as they melt at different temperatures. Our Materials Recycling Facility cannot sort between the different grade of plastics, and so they can’t be recycled together.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

1. Manufacturers that make new products demand high grade plastics. High Grade = Plastic Bottles.
2. Plastics like pots, tubs and trays are a low grade plastic and the manufacturers just don’t want these.
3. During the recycling process, the plastic is melted. Plastic bottles and plastic pots, tubs and trays melt at different temperatures, meaning the pots, tubs and trays contaminate the bottles and can’t be used to make new products.
4. Other areas may collect plastic pots, tubs and trays, but currently very little is recycled. Most of it is used to make electricity.

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed bin collection

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Tel: 01204 336 632

Email: wasteandrecycling@bolton.gov.uk

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Tel: 01204 336 632

Email: neighbourhoodservicesinbox@bolton.gov.uk

You can also complete the online form.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Email: wasteandrecycling@bolton.gov.uk

Tel: 01204 336 632

You can also complete the online order form or order a new recycling bin orcontainer in person at the One Stop Shop in Bolton Town Hall.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

When you are running low on liners, please tie an empty liner around the handle of your food waste container or green bin on collection day and the crew will leave you a new roll of liners.

You can also visit the One Stop Shop at Bolton Town Hall or the UCAN centres for replacement rolls of liners.

To find out where your nearest UCAN Centre is visit the Bolton council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

If you just need liners or only need a caddy, you can collect these yourself from:

Bury libraries

3 Knowsley Place (opposite Bury Town Hall)

Six Town Housing, 6 Knowsley Place, Bury (liners only)

Customer Support and Collections, Whittaker Street, Radcliffe

Alternatively, attach the yellow tag found towards the end of the roll to your brown food and garden bin. Our collection crew will leave you a new roll.

You can also contact Bury council directly on their website.

If you are ordering a new or replacement brown recycling bin, you can order a caddy and liners at the same time with this online form.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Bury council directly here to request a new or replacement bin.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Bury council directly here to report fly-tipping,

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed kerbside collection

Please contact Bury council directly here to report a missed bin collection.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

When you get to the end of a roll, you’ll find a tag to request a new roll. Attach this tag to your bin handle and the collection crew will leave a new roll.

You can also pick up a new roll of compostable food bags at any Manchester library or request them on the Manchester City council website.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Manchester City council directly on their website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please visit the Manchester City council website and follow the instructions to report fly-tipping.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed kerbside collection

Please contact Manchester City council directly here.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

Food caddy liners can be purchased from a number of outlets in Oldham.

For the list of outlets please visit the Oldham council website.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Oldham council directly by:

Email: waste@oldham.gov.uk

Tel: 0161 770 6644

Or complete the online form on the Oldham council website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report flytipping on council property

Please contact Oldham council directly.

Tel: 0161 770 6644

Or report it online on the Oldham council website.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed kerbside collection

Please contact Oldham council directly.

Email: waste@oldham.gov.uk

Tel: 0161 770 6644

Complete this online form on the Oldham council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

To request for more compostable food bags, attach the yellow tag found towards the end of the roll to your brown food and garden bin or street food caddy. The collection crew will leave you a new roll or you can collect free compostable liners from any of the libraries in Rochdale.

More information and list of libraries on Rochdale council website.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Rochdale council directly.

Tel: 0300 303 8884

Or complete the online form on Rochdale council website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

Report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Rochdale council directly.

Tel: 0300 303 8884

Or report it online via the Rochdale council website.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed kerbside collection

Please contact Rochdale council directly.

Tel: 0300 303 8884

Or complete this online form on Rochdale council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

Simply tie an empty liner to the lid of your pink lidded food and garden bin or outdoor food bin and place out for collection as normal. Salford council will deliver some more liners for free.

You can also order more compostable food bags by telephone on 0161 793 2500.

Or complete the online form on the Salford council website.

You can also collect two rolls of kitchen caddy liners, free of charge, from the Gateway centres and other locations across the city. Find your nearest here.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Salford council directly.

Tel: 0161 793 2500

Or order one online on the Salford council website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Salford council directly.

Tel: 0161 793 2500

Report it online via the Salford council website.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed kerbside collection

Please contact Salford council directly.

Tel: 0161 793 2500

Or complete this online form on the Salford council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

A roll of 150 liners is delivered to each Stockport household every year.

If you run out, you can buy them directly from the supplier online or over the telephone on 0844 571 4444.

Most supermarkets now stock compostable liners, just look out for the EN13432 composting association logo to make sure the liners are suitable to be used in your food waste caddy.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Stockport council directly

Tel: 0161 217 6111

Or complete this online form on the Stockport council website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Stockport council directly.

Tel: 0161 217 6111

Or complete the online form on the Stockport council website.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed bin collection

Please contact Stockport council directly.

Tel: 0161 217 6111

Complete this online form on the Stockport council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

To request for more compostable food bags, tie an empty liner around the handle of your brown food and garden bin and the collection crew will leave you a new roll.

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Tameside council directly.

Tel: 0161 342 8355

Or complete the online form on Tameside council’s website.

How do I report a missed bin collection?

To report a missed bin collection

Please contact Tameside council directly.

Tel: 0161 342 8355

Or complete this online form on the Tameside council website.

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Tameside council directly.

Tel: 0161 342 8355

Or report it online via the Tameside council website.

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

If you are having technical problems with your application or have been waiting more than 2 working days for confirmation of your permit, please contact gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com

You should also email gmcavanpermit.uk@suez.com if your permit has been rejected due to incorrect information

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How to order more compostable food bags

Trafford council now provides everyone with a year’s supply of compostable food bags.

If you run out of compostable food bags, you can contact Trafford council on 03330 035865 to order more. Trafford council will deliver these to you free of charge.

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Buy Keep Eat Repeat

LET’S REDUCE FOOD WASTE!

ZERO WASTE RECIPE CARDS

STORING FOOD IN THE FRIDGE:

WEBSITES THAT MAKE IT EASY:

HUBUB

GREENECO FRIEND

LOVE FOODHATE WASTE

FOOD STANDARDS

APPS THAT MAKE IT EASY:

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FOOD:

BUY

KEEP

EAT

REPEAT

Get your question answered quickly

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

I’m having an issue with my Van Permit application

Why can I not recycle other types of plastic in my mixed recycling bin?

Where can I order more food caddy liners from?

How do I request a new recycling bin/container?

How do I report fly-tipping on council property?

How do I report a missed bin collection?

Contact Form

Contact information

Waste and Recycling Bin Collections

Complaints

Contact details for councils in Greater Manchester are listed below:

Bolton

Bury

Manchester

Oldham

Rochdale

LOVE FOOD
HATE WASTE